The effect of length of legume and non-legume leys on gravimetric soil nitrogen at some locations in the Victorian wheat areas

Abstract

Total soil nitrogen increase in the surface six inches under sown pasture legume leys of up to ten years' duration at Dookie, Longerenong, Rutherglen, and Walpeup in the wheatgrowing areas of Victoria was linearly related to the length of pasture period. Annual increases in soil nitrogen were 0.00467, 0.00474, 0.00400, and 0.00142 per cent, respectively. Under non-legume pastures at Longerenong and Walpeup, annual increases in the surface six inches of 0.00292 and 0.00094 per cent nitrogen were obtained. The source of this nitrogen is not known.